A Parent and Family Guide to Fraternity and Sorority Life at NJIT

The Office of Greek Life values the contributions parents and family members provide their student and the ability they have to positively enhance their student’s college experience. On this page you can learn about your son or daughter’s experience, contact me, learn about benefits and frequently asked questions, as well as learn how you can become more involved.

What are the Benefits of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority?

Fraternity or sorority members at NJIT have the ability to achieve academic excellence through study hours, chapter scholarship programs, honor societies, and assistance by older members within his/her chapter.

• Studies have shown that members of Greek Organizations are statistically more likely to return to school the following year.

• The networking available through alumni relations and members of other chapters is extensive. One of the four pillars of the Greek community is brotherhood/sisterhood, which is the development of friends into brothers and sisters for life. Being a member provides your student with support through good times and bad as well as job opportunities and networking following graduation.

• Fraternities and sororities at NJIT encourage members to get involved in their respective chapters, the Greek community, and in campus organizations beyond merely the social level. For our members alone, there are a number of leadership opportunities that can increase students’ achievement in academics, and enhance leadership, communication, and management skills.

• One concern for prospective students is the size of the University. NJIT has approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students and finding a strong group of friends can be difficult. Fraternity and Sorority Life is one of the best ways for your student to locate that sense of community while still promoting academics, involvement on campus, and developing lifetime friendships and networking.

• Community Service is a key component of our Greek community. Events are readily available for your student to maintain his/her contributions to the local community.

The Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri has compiled the following information about Greek Life:

• Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni have higher average incomes than non-Greek alumni.

• Even when accounting for parents' educational levels, graduation year, and gender, students who were affiliated with fraternities and sororities have higher average incomes following graduation.

• Students who join fraternities and sororities are more likely to return to college the following year.

• Students who join fraternities and sororities are 28% more likely to return to school the following year than students who choose not to join.

• Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni are involved in more civic organizations and contribute more financially to charitable organizations than non-Greek alumni.

• Fraternity and sorority involvement correlates positively with citizen involvement and charitable giving later in life.

Greek Glossary

ACTIVE

An initiated, dues-paying member of a fraternity or sorority who is enrolled in school.

ALUMNA

An initiated member of a sorority who is no longer in college (plural: alumnae).

ALUMNUS

An initiated member of a fraternity who is no longer in college (plural: alumni).

ASSOCIATE MEMBER (NEW MEMBER)

A pledge or associate of a chapter who has not been initiated.

BID

A formal invitation to pledge a sorority or fraternity.

BIG BROTHER OR SISTER

An older member assigned to assist a new member or associate member.

BROTHER

A term used within men's fraternities when referring to other members.

CHAPTER

The campus group of a national/international organization. Many national groups give their chapters names that include a Greek letter, combination of letters, or a Greek letter and a state.

CHAPTER HOUSE

The structure in which 15 to 30 members of a chapter reside, most of them are on MLK.

COLONY

A newly organized group working toward becoming a chartered chapter.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

An event where chapter members offer their time to assist members or an agency in the community.

FORMAL RUSH/RECRUITMENT

Period set aside for mutual membership selection.

INDUCTION

The process through which some Multi-Cultural chapters orient new members to the rights and responsibilities of membership.

INFORMAL/OPEN RUSH

Recruitment process by which fraternities and sororities invite members throughout the academic year.

INTAKE

The process through which Multi-Cultural chapters orient new members to the rights and responsibilities of membership. In general, Multi-Cultural organizations require sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA for someone to participate in intake.

INTEREST GROUP

Refers to a group of students considering pursuing either membership in an Multi-Cultural organization or beginning an entirely new chapter of an organization not currently registered on campus.

INITIATION

The formal ceremony in which a new member or associate member becomes an active member.

LEGACY

The son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter, or brother/sister of an initiated member.

NEW MEMBER

A member of a sorority or fraternity who has not been initiated.

NEW MEMBER PROGRAM

A time before initiation during which new members learn about their fraternity or sorority, its members, activities, and responsibilities.

PHILANTHROPY

A fund-raising project sponsored by fraternities or sororities supporting various local and national agencies.

RECOMMENDATION

A letter written by a friend or family member introducing a perspective new member to a Greek organization.

RECRUITMENT (a.k.a. RUSH)

The time when fraternities and sororities recruit new members. Traditional Fraternities and Sororities usually recruit during the first three weeks each semester. Multi-Cultural Fraternity and Sororities generally conduct intake or induction during the spring semester.

SISTER

A term used within women's fraternities when referring to other members.

SALUTE

A creative form of cultural expression by some Latino and multicultural fraternities and sororities involving a chant and walking in unison.

STEPPING

A creative and unique form of artistic dance and musical entertainment unique to some culturally based fraternities and sororities, especially those of an African American heritage.

STROLL

An informal form of stepping.